Daily Devotional
Are You Ashamed of Jesus?
“When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.”
Matthew 27:29-31
March 27, 2024
Ponder This
Some years ago in New York City, there was a mother who was hanging clothes to dry outside when a fire broke out in her home with her baby inside. That mother’s face took the heat of those flames and was horribly scarred. Her hands were burned, but the baby was not touched at all by that fire. Not a hair was singed. One day that girl grew up and spoke to a friend who said, “Who is that hideous woman?” This girl said, “I don’t know,” and the mother heard.
Later, when they got home, the mother said “Darling, come here. I want to tell you something. When you were a baby, I went into a burning house and rescued you, not a hair on your head was touched, but these scars on my face and these scars on my hand are there because I rescued you from the flames.” When that daughter learned the truth, she was filled with shame and remorse. She said “Oh, my mother, can you ever forgive me?” Let us never be ashamed of Jesus and the scars He bore for our sake. How could we ever blush to speak His name or own His cause? Jesus wore my crown. The sacred mystery is that He bore the curse; the solemn misery is that He suffered our hell.
- What does it look like to live ashamed of Jesus? To live unashamed?
- Where is it difficult for you to live unashamed for Jesus?
Practice This
Discuss with a close Christian friend what it means to live unashamed of Jesus.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
